Ohio 'Clean Energy' Group Can Collect Signatures

The Ohio Ballot Board has cleared the way for backers of a proposed initiative requiring billions of dollars of state investment in alternative energy to continue their ballot effort.

The panel agreed unanimously Tuesday that the so-called Ohio Clean Energy Initiative amendment is a single ballot issue. That decision frees Yes for Ohio's Energy Future to collect the roughly 385,000 signatures required to put the issue before voters.

The amendment calls for $1.3 billion in annual investments over a decade in infrastructure, research and development related to solar, wind and other energy sources. Eligible projects would be determined by Ohio Energy Initiative Commission LLC.

The Delaware corporation would receive $65 million in annual operational expenses under the proposal.